ES2824228T3 - System and procedure to remove and / or install a rotor blade of a wind turbine - Google Patents

Abstract

A procedure for removing a rotor blade (22) from an upper part of a tower (12) of a wind turbine (10), the method comprising: installing at least one pulley from the upper part of the tower (180,182) in a location of the top of the wind turbine tower; attaching a pulley cable (116) from a first floor winch (112) on the tower top pulley to the rotor blade; attaching a guide line (108) from a second ground winch (114) to a location on top of the wind turbine tower; attaching a guide pulley (118) to the guide line (108), wherein the guide pulley is configured to move along the guide line; Attach a guide wire (120) from the guide line (108) on the guide pulley to the rotor blade (22) to control the orientation of the rotor blade (22) with respect to the tower as it is lower the rotor blade; and lowering the rotor blade by coordinated operation of the winch to a location on or adjacent to a supporting surface (14) of the wind turbine (10).

Description

DESCRIPTION

System and procedure to remove and / or install a rotor blade of a wind turbine

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wind turbines and, more particularly, to systems and methods for removing and / or installing a rotor blade from a wind turbine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Wind power is considered one of the cleanest and greenest energy sources available today, and wind turbines have attracted increasing attention in this regard. A modern wind turbine typically includes a tower, generator, gearbox, nacelle, and one or more rotor blades. Rotor blades capture kinetic energy from the wind using known aerodynamic principles. The rotor blades transmit kinetic energy in the form of rotational energy to rotate a shaft that couples the rotor blades to a gearbox or, if a gearbox is not used, directly to the generator. The generator then converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy that can be distributed in a supply network.

[0003] Typically, to initially install a rotor blade on the wind turbine hub and / or remove one of the existing rotor blades from the hub, a significantly large crane must be transported to the wind turbine site to provide a means to raise and / or lower the rotor blade relative to the hub. Unfortunately, it is often extremely expensive to transport the crane to the wind turbine site and operate the crane for the time required to install and / or remove the rotor blade (s). As a result, the costs of employing such large cranes today represent a significant portion of the overall costs associated with initial wind turbine installations and rotor blade maintenance operations.

Consequently, improved procedures and related systems for removing and / or installing wind turbine rotor blades that do not require the use of a significantly large crane would be welcome in the technology.

[0005] US 2007/290426 A1 discloses a prior art system for lifting and removing a rotor blade of a wind turbine to and from a rotor installed on top of a wind turbine tower.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be partially set forth in the following description, or may become apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

[0007] In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of removing a rotor blade from a rotor of a wind turbine installed on top of a wind turbine tower. The method includes attaching at least one pulley from the top of the tower to a location on the top of the wind turbine tower, eg, the rotor. Another step includes attaching a pulley cable from a first soil winch on top of the tower pulley to the rotor blade, eg, the root of the blade. Still another step includes attaching a guide line from a second ground winch to a location on top of the wind turbine tower. The method also includes attaching a guide pulley to the guide line, wherein the guide pulley is configured to move along the guide line. A further step includes attaching a guide wire from the guide line on the guide pulley to the rotor blade, for example, at the tip of the blade, to control the orientation of the rotor blade relative to the tower at as the rotor blade is lowered. The next step includes lowering the rotor blade by coordinated winch operation to a location on or adjacent to a supporting surface of the wind turbine.

[0008] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of lifting a rotor blade from a supporting surface to a rotor of a wind turbine installed on top of a wind turbine tower. The method includes attaching a pulley cable from a first ground winch over a tower top pulley to a location on top of the wind turbine tower, for example, the rotor, to a root of the tower. rotor blade blade. Still another step includes attaching a guide line from a location on top of the wind turbine tower to a second ground winch, wherein the guide line has a guide pulley configured thereon. Furthermore, the guide pulley is configured to move along the guide line during installation of the rotor blade. The method also includes attaching a guide wire from the guide line on the guide pulley to the rotor blade to control the orientation of the rotor blade relative to the tower as the rotor blade is raised. The next step includes lifting the rotor blade through the pulley cable by coordinated winch operation from the ground to the rotor in such a way that the rotor blade can be installed on the rotor.

[0009] In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a system for lifting or removing a rotor blade of a wind turbine to and from a wind turbine tower. The system includes at least one tower top pulley mounted at a location on top of the wind turbine tower (e.g., the rotor), a first and second winches arranged at a location on or adjacent to a support surface of the tower, a cable of pulley from the first soil winch over the top of the tower pulley and connected to the rotor blade, a guide line attached between the second soil winch and a location of the top of the wind turbine tower , a guide pulley mounted on the guide line and a guide wire from the guide line on the guide pulley to the rotor blade. The guide pulley is configured to move along the guide line during lifting and removal of the rotor blade and the guide wire is configured to control the orientation of the rotor blade relative to the tower during lifting. and removal of the rotor blade.

These and other characteristic features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to set forth the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] In the specification a complete and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to a person skilled in the art, which refers to the attached figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a wind turbine in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a rotor blade in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates another perspective view of the wind turbine shown in FIG. 1, particularly illustrating a rotor blade to be removed from the wind turbine positioned in a generally vertical orientation with respect to a supporting surface of the wind turbine and a blade sock installed on the rotor blade;

FIG. 4 illustrates another perspective view of the wind turbine shown in FIG. 3, illustrating, in particular, the rotor blade lowered to an initial vertical height and a blade sock installed on the rotor blade;

FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up, partial perspective view of the rotor blade and hub shown in FIG. 4, illustrating, in particular, an embodiment of a lowering system including support cables secured to the rotor blade and extending through a wind turbine pitch bearing and cable translation devices corresponding inside the hub;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the rotor blade and pitch bearing shown in FIG. 5 before the rotor blade is lowered from the hub, illustrating, in particular, a pair of support cables and cable translation devices of the lowering system shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top down view of the pitch bearing shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, illustrating, in particular, the circumferential positioning of the cable translation devices around the pitch bearing with respect to a tower reference line extending radially from the center of the wind turbine tower to through the center of the pitch bearing;

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view similar to that shown in FIG. 6, illustrating, in particular, a variation of the blade lowering system shown in FIG. 6, wherein each support cable pair secured to the rotor blade includes a support cable in operative association with a corresponding cable transition device and another support cable that extends through the pitch bearing without being received. within a cable translation device;

FIG. 9 illustrates a close-up, partial perspective view of the rotor blade and hub shown in FIG. 4, illustrating, in particular, another embodiment of a lowering system including support cables secured to the rotor blade and corresponding cable translation devices located within the hub;

FIG. 10 illustrates a partial, perspective, close-up view of the interface between the rotor blade and the pitch bearing shown in FIG. 9 prior to lowering the rotor blade from the hub, illustrating, in particular, a support cable engaged between a support nut installed within the root of the blade and a corresponding cable translation device located within the hub;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the support nut shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 illustrates another perspective view of the wind turbine shown in FIG. 4, particularly illustrating a pulley cable coupled between the rotor blade and a first winch through one or more pulleys at the top of the tower and a guide line having a guide pulley mounted thereon, at where the guide line is mounted between the rotor and a second winch;

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a pulley arrangement that can be used to lower the rotor blade relative to the hub in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of a pulley arrangement that can be used to lower the rotor blade relative to the hub in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of a pulley arrangement that can be used to lower the rotor blade relative to the hub in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 illustrates yet another embodiment of a pulley arrangement that can be used to lower the rotor blade relative to the hub in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 illustrates yet another example of a pulley arrangement that can be used to lower the rotor blade relative to the hub in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 illustrates another perspective view of the wind turbine shown in FIG. 12, particularly illustrating the rotation of the rotor blade to a horizontal position as the blade is lowered through the pulley wire and the guide line guide wire;

FIG. 19 illustrates another perspective view of the wind turbine shown in FIG. 18, illustrating, in particular, the rotor blade being held in a substantially horizontal position;

FIG. 20 illustrates another perspective view of the wind turbine shown in FIG. 12, particularly illustrating an additional pulley cable mounted between the rotor blade and the guide pulley to control a location of the guide pulley;

FIG. 21 illustrates another perspective view of the wind turbine shown in FIG. 20, illustrating, in particular, the rotor blade being rotated to a substantially horizontal position;

FIG. 22 illustrates another perspective view of the wind turbine shown in FIG. 21, illustrating, in particular, the rotor blade in a substantially horizontal position;

FIG. 23 illustrates another perspective view of the wind turbine shown in FIG. 12, particularly illustrating a third pulley mounted on the rotor and having an additional pulley cable on the third pulley between the guide pulley and a third winch, wherein the additional pulley cable is configured to control a location of the guide pulley;

FIG. 24 illustrates another perspective view of the wind turbine shown in FIG. 23, illustrating, in particular, the rotor blade being rotated to a substantially horizontal position;

FIG. 25 illustrates another perspective view of the wind turbine shown in FIG. 23, illustrating, in particular, the rotor blade in a substantially horizontal position;

FIG. 26 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a wind turbine and winch design of the present disclosure, particularly illustrating the first and second winches positioned at a 90 degree angle to each other and the tower; Y

FIG. 27 illustrates a top view of another embodiment of a wind turbine and winch design of the present disclosure, particularly illustrating the first and second winches positioned adjacent to or one on top of the other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to produce yet another embodiment. Therefore, the present invention is intended to cover such modifications and variations so as to come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0013] In general, the present art is directed to various methods of removing rotor blades from, and / or installing rotor blades in a wind turbine. Specifically, as will be apparent from the description provided below, the disclosed procedures may allow the removal and installation of the rotor blades without the use of a large and expensive crane, thus significantly reducing the costs associated with removing and / or installing the shovel.

[0014] For example, in various embodiments, to lower a rotor blade from a hub of the wind turbine, at least one pulley on the top of the tower is attached to a location on the top of the tower. the wind turbine, for example, the rotor. In addition, a pulley cable is connected from a first ground or main winch on the top of the tower pulley to the root of the rotor blade blade and can be used to lower the rotor blade relative to the bushing. A guide line having a guide pulley mounted thereon is also attached to the rotor and a second ground winch. Thereafter, a guide wire can be attached from the guide line over the guide pulley to the rotor blade to control the orientation of the rotor blade relative to the tower as the rotor blade is lowered. . The pulley cable or cables, in combination with the guide line and guide cable, can be used to lower the rotor blade onto and / or adjacent to a supporting surface of the rotor blade. Consequently, the rotor blade can be lowered in a controlled manner by coordinated winch operation. As will be described below, said process steps can also, in various embodiments, be reversed to allow the installation of a rotor blade in a wind turbine.

It should be appreciated that, in addition to the disclosed methods, the present subject is also directed to a system for removing rotor blades and / or installing rotor blades in a wind turbine. Specifically, the system may include, in general, any combination of the various components described herein as used during the performance of any of the disclosed procedures.

[0016] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a wind turbine 10. As shown, the wind turbine 10 generally includes a tower 12 extending from a support surface 14 (eg, the ground, a platform concrete or any other suitable supporting surface). In addition, wind turbine 10 may also include a nacelle 16 mounted on tower 12 and a rotor 18 coupled to nacelle 16. Rotor 18 includes a rotating hub 20 and at least one rotor blade 22 coupled to and extending out of the hub 20. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, rotor 18 includes three rotor blades 22. However, in an alternative embodiment, rotor 19 may include more or less than three rotor blades 22 Each rotor blade 22 may be spaced over hub 20 to facilitate rotation of rotor 19 to allow the kinetic energy of the wind to be converted into useful mechanical energy and subsequently electrical energy. For example, hub 20 may be rotatably coupled to an electrical generator (not shown) located within nacelle 16 to allow electrical power to be produced.

[0017] With reference, in particular, to FIG. 2, a perspective view of one of the rotor blades 22 shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with aspects of the present matter. As shown, rotor blade 22 includes a blade root 24 configured to mount rotor blade 22 on hub 20 of a wind turbine 10 (FIG. 1) and a blade tip 26 disposed opposite to the root of the blade 24. A body 28 of the rotor blade 22 may extend longitudinally between the root of the blade 24 and the tip of the blade 26 and generally can act as an outer covering of the rotor blade 22. As Generally understood, body 28 may define an aerodynamic profile (for example, defining an aileron-shaped cross section, such as a symmetrical or warped aileron-shaped cross section) to allow rotor blade 22 to capture kinetic energy using known aerodynamic principles. Thus, body 28 may generally include a pressure side 30 and a suction side 32 that extend between a leading edge 34 and a trailing edge 36. Additionally, the rotor blade 22 may have a span 38 that defines the total length of the body 28 between the root of the blade 24 and the tip of the blade 26 and a chord 40 that defines the total length of the body 28 between the leading edge 34 and the trailing edge 36. As generally understood, chord 40 may vary in length relative to span 38 as body 29 extends from the root of blade 24 to the tip of blade 26.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the rotor blade 22 may also include a plurality of T-bolts or root joint assemblies 42 to couple the root of the blade 22 to the hub 20 of the wind turbine 10. In general, each joint assembly of the Root 42 may include a barrel nut 44 mounted within a portion of the root of the blade 24 and a root bolt 46 coupled to and extending from the barrel nut 44 to project outwardly from one end of the root 48 of the root of the blade 24. Projecting outward from the end of the root 48, the root bolts 46 can generally be used to couple the root of the blade 24 to the bushing 20 by means of a pitch bearing 150 ( FIG. 5) of wind turbine 10. For example, pitch bearing 150 may define a plurality of bolt holes 151 (FIGS. 6-7) configured to receive root bolts 48. Additionally, as will be described below , a portion of said root bolts 46 can also be used when or rotor blade 22 is removed from and / or installed in hub 20.

[0019] They will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3-27 various embodiments of procedures for removing a rotor blade 22 from a wind turbine 10, including various system components that can be used to perform such procedures. It should be appreciated that, although the procedures will be described, generally, with reference to the removal of a rotor blade 22 from a wind turbine 10, the various process steps and system components disclosed herein can be used in a similar manner. to install a rotor blade 22 in a wind turbine 10 simply by reversing the order in which the procedure is performed. It should also be appreciated that, although the procedures will be described herein as performed in a particular order, the procedures Procedures can generally be performed in any suitable order that is consistent with the disclosure provided herein.

[0020] With particular reference to FIG. 3, the rotor blade 22 to be removed may be initially rotated to a vertically downward position (e.g., a six o'clock position) so that the blade 22 has a generally vertical orientation with respect to the surface. support 14 of wind turbine 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotor blade 22 extends vertically downward from the hub 20 so that the tip of the blade 26 points toward the support surface 14. It should be appreciated that due to a rake angle and / or conical angle of wind turbine 10, rotor blade 22 may be slightly angled away from tower 12 when moved to the vertically downward position.

In various embodiments, once the rotor blade 22 is rotated to the vertically down position, an optional blade sock 100 can be installed on the blade 22 to provide attachment points for various cables and / or lines of the present disclosure and / or to provide protection for rotor blade 22. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper sock 100 may be installed at an intermediate location 102 defined between the root of the upper 24 and the tip of the upper 26. In one embodiment, the intermediate location 102 may correspond to a location defined along an outer section of rotor blade 22, such as at a location spaced from the root of blade 24 by a distance 104 that is greater than about 50% of the span of blade 38 (FIG. 2). For example, the distance 104 may range from about 50% of the wingspan 38 to about 95% of the wingspan 38, such as from about 65% of the wingspan 38 to about 95% of the wingspan 38 or from about 75% of span 38 to about 90% of span 38 and any other sub-ranges in between.

Still referring to FIG. 3, To install the shovel sock 100 on the rotor blade 22, one or more lifting cables 106 may be secured to the shovel sock 100 and may extend upward to a location at the top of the tower, such as in a location on and / or within the hub 20 or nacelle 16. For example, in one embodiment, the lifting cable or cables 106 may extend upward from the shovel sock 100 to personnel located within and / or on the top of the hub 20 or nacelle 16. Regardless, the lifting cable (s) 106 may be used to lift the paddle sock 100 vertically upward relative to the support surface 14 to allow the sock 100 to be installed around the upper. of rotor 22 at intermediate location 102. For example, upper sock 100 may define a closed shape configured to extend around the outer perimeter of rotor blade 22. Therefore, raising the sock pa Through the lifting cable or cables 106, the sock 100 can be carefully aligned with the rotor blade 22 so that the tip of the upper 26 is received within the sock 100.

[0023] Those skilled in the art should understand that the system and procedure described herein can function without the use of the paddle sock 100. In such an embodiment, the cables and / or guide wires as described in herein may be attached directly to rotor blade 22.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 4, rotor blade 22 may initially be lowered from hub 22 an initial vertical distance 146. As will be described below, such initial descent of rotor blade 22 may allow one or more pulleys on top of tower 180 , 182 engage between the blade 22 and another component of the top of the wind turbine tower 10, thus providing a means for further lowering the rotor blade 22 in the direction of the support surface 14 in accordance with the present divulgation. Thus, the initial vertical distance 146 may generally correspond to any suitable distance that will allow installation of the pulley or pulleys and any associated pulley cables or cables. For example, in one embodiment, the initial vertical distance 146 may generally range from about 2 feet (0.6 m) to about 15 feet (4.57 m), such as about 3 feet (0, 91 m) to approximately 10 feet (3.05 m) or 5 feet (1.52 m) to approximately 10 feet (3.05 m) and any other sub-range between those values.

[0025] With reference now to FIGS. 5-7, one embodiment of suitable components that can be included within a lowering system for initially lowering rotor blade 22 from hub 20 is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present art. Specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates a partial perspective view of hub 20, rotor blade 22, and pitch bearing 150 of wind turbine 10 after blade 22 has been lowered from hub 20 the initial vertical distance 146. FIG. . 6 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the interface between rotor blade 22 and pitch bearing 150 before blade 22 is lowered relative to hub 20. Additionally, FIG.

7 illustrates a top view of pitch bearing 150 of wind turbine 10, illustrating, in particular, the relative circumferential positioning of the system components used to initially lower rotor blade 22 relative to hub 20.

[0026] It should be appreciated that, for illustrative purposes, only the pitch bearing inner ring 150 is shown in FIG. 7. As is generally understood, the pitch bearing 150 may also include an outer ring configured to engage the hub 20. As such, when the inner ring is rotated relative to the outer ring of the pitch bearing 150, the rotor blade 22 can pitch around its pitch axis.

[0027] As shown in particular in FIGS. 5 and 6, to allow the rotor blade 22 to be lowered initially, Several of the root bolts 46 that extend through the bolt holes 151 defined in the pitch bearing 150 can be removed and replaced with suitable support cables 152. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, in one embodiment, eight of the root bolts 46 have been removed and replaced with corresponding support cables 152. In doing so, the remainder of the root bolts 46 may initially be kept in contact with the pitch bearing 150 (eg, by means of suitable tie nuts (not shown)) to allow rotor blade 22 to continue to be supported by hub 20 until rotor blade 22 is ready to be lowered.

In general, support cables 152 can correspond to any suitable cable that is capable of supporting the weight of rotor blade 22 as it is lowered relative to hub 20. For example, in various embodiments, Each support cable 152 can correspond to a steel cable or any other suitable metal cable that has a nominal load capacity sufficient to handle the weight of the rotor blade 22. In another embodiment, each support cable 152 can correspond to a metal chain or any other suitable elongated cable-like object. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that each support wire 152 can be configured, in general, to define any suitable length that allows the wires to be used to lower rotor blade 22 away from hub 20 to the initial vertical distance 146.

[0029] In addition, support cables 152 can generally be configured to engage rotor blade 22 using any suitable attachment means. For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, a stem end 154 (FIG. 6) of each cable 152 may be coupled to a threaded cable stem 156 configured to thread onto one of the barrel nuts 44 extending within of the root of the blade 24. In such an embodiment, a stamped connection or other suitable connection may be formed between the end of the root 154 of each cable 152 and each cable shank 156 to firmly couple the cables 152 to the shanks. 156 corresponding. In other embodiments, the support cables 152 may be attached to the root of the blade 24 using any other suitable means, such as by attaching each support cable 152 to a suitable mounting fixture configured to secure to the root of the blade. 24.

[0030] It should be appreciated that, in embodiments in which support cables 152 are coupled to the root of blade 24 by means of threaded cable rods 156, each cable rod 156 can generally be configured as to define any suitable length 157. As shown in FIG. 6, in one embodiment, the length 157 of each cable shank 156 may be substantially equal to a corresponding length 159 of the root bolts 46. Alternatively, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 8, the length 157 of each cable shank 156 may be less than the length 159 of the root bolts 46.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each support cable 152 may be configured to be in operative association with a suitable cable translation device 158 located within the hub 20. In general, each cable translation device 158 can correspond to any suitable device that allows rotor blade 22 is safely moved relative to hub 20 using support cables 152. For example, in various embodiments, each cable translation device 152 may correspond to a fluid actuated actuator (eg, a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator) configured to be in operative association with a corresponding support cable 152 to allow rotor blade 22 to be lowered and / or raised relative to hub 20.

[0032] Specifically, in a particular embodiment of the present matter, each cable translation device 158 can be configured as a hollow lift / lower cylinder or as a single strand jack designed to gradually lower and / or raise the rotor blade 22. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, each device 158 may include a cylinder 160 configured to engage pitch bearing 150 (for example, by means of suitable bolts and / or other mechanical fasteners (not shown)) and a hollow piston 162 configured to receive one of support cables 152. Piston 162 may be configured, in general, to be actuated and retracted relative to cylinder 160 by supplying / expelling pressurized fluid to / from cylinder 160 (eg, via fluid port 164 ). In addition, each cable translation device 158 may include an upper clamping mechanism 166 located directly over piston 162 and a lower clamping mechanism 168 located directly below piston 162. As is generally understood, the upper and lower clamping mechanisms 166, 168 can be configured to alternately hold support cable 152 as piston 162 is actuated and retracted, thereby allowing each translating device 152 to lower or raise rotor blade 22 in short increments with each actuation. / piston retraction 162.

Additionally, in various embodiments, a stop block 170 may be configured to be installed around each support cable 152 directly above its corresponding cable translation device 158. In general, each stop block 170 may be configured to serve as a built-in safety feature that provides a mechanical stop for each support cable 152 in the event of a failure of one of the cable translation devices 158. For example, as shown shown in particular in FIG. 6, each support cable 152 may include a plurality of tabs 172 gradually spaced along the length of the cable. In such an embodiment, an opening or slot (not shown) can be defined through each stop block 170 that is dimensionally larger than cable 152, thereby allowing cable 152 to pass through stop block. 170 as it is lowered relative to the translation device 158. However, given their larger size, the tabs 172 may not be able to pass through the opening or slot defined in each stop block 170. Consequently, In the event of failure of one of the cable translation devices 158, the tab 172 located Directly above the corresponding stop block 170 it may contact and engage with an upper surface of the block 170, thereby preventing further movement of the support wire 152 relative to the translation device 158. On the contrary, during Normal operation, stop blocks 170 can be continuously repositioned along support wire 152 as each tab 172 is lowered toward and / or contiguous with its corresponding stop block 170. For example, as indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 6, when one of the tabs 172 is lowered downward and / or adjacent to one of the stop blocks 170, the stop block 170 can be removed from the support wire 152 and repositioned above said tab 172 to allow support cable 152 continues to be lowered through translation device 158.

It should be appreciated that, in general, each support cable 152 and corresponding translation device 158 can be configured to be installed in any suitable location around the circumference of the root of the blade 24 and the pitch bearing 150. However In various embodiments, cables / devices 152, 158 can be grouped in separate pairs around the root of blade 24 and pitch bearing 150. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, in one embodiment, each pair of cable translation devices 158 may be configured to be positioned around pitch bearing 150 at circumferential locations, generally adjacent to a reference line 174 oriented perpendicular to a reference line of tower 176 extending radially from the center of wind turbine tower 12 through the center of pitch bearing 150. Specifically, as shown, each pair of cable translation devices 158 can, in general, be circumferentially spaced from reference line 174 at an angle 178 equal to less than about 45 degrees, such as less than about 40 degrees or less than about 35 degrees. Of course, in such an embodiment, the support cables 152 can be similarly secured to the root of the blade 24 at a corresponding circumferential location relative to the reference line 174. Said positioning of the cables / devices 152, 158 contiguous to reference line 174 may, in certain rotor blade configurations, allow rotor blade 22 to be slightly angled away from tower 12 as blade 22 is lowered relative to hub 20 due to to the location of the center of gravity of the blade.

[0035] As indicated above, in one embodiment, eight support cables 152 and corresponding translation devices 158 can be installed to help lower rotor blade 22 relative to hub 20. However, in others In embodiments, any other suitable number of support cables 152 and translation devices 158 can be used to lower rotor blade 22 relative to hub 20. For example, in one embodiment, rotor blade 22 may be lowered using only four cables / devices 152, 158 or using only two cables / devices 152, 158.

Additionally, in other embodiments, only a portion of support cables 152 coupled to rotor blade 22 may be configured to be in operative association with corresponding cable translation devices 158. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 8, for each pair of support cables 152 extending from the root of the blade 24, one of the cables 152 may be configured to be in operative association with a corresponding translation device 158 located within the hub 20. In said mode of In one embodiment, each support cable 152 not associated with a translation device 158 can simply be used to provide additional support for the rotor blade 22 as it is lowered. Furthermore, such support cables 152 can also be configured to be used in connection with the stop blocks 170 described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the stop block 170 may be positioned directly over the pitch bearing 150 to allow the stop block 170 to engage between one of the cable tabs 172 and the pitch bearing 150 in the event of failure of one or more of the translation devices 158 installed on any of the other support cables 152.

[0037] It should be appreciated that, in other embodiments of the present art, the rotor blade 22 may be configured to be initially lowered from the hub 20 using any other suitable lowering means known in the art. For example, as an alternative to the fluid-actuated cable translation devices 158 described above, the cable translation devices may correspond to winches located within the hub 20. In such an embodiment, the support cables 152 can be unwound from each other. associated winch for initially lowering rotor blade 22 from hub 20. In another embodiment, support cables 152 may be replaced with elongated threaded rods. In such an embodiment, the threaded rods can be received within a suitable translation device (for example, a screw jack) configured to allow the rods to move relative to the device, thus allowing the rotor blade 22 is lowered relative to bushing 20.

With reference now to FIGS. 9-11, another embodiment of suitable components that may be included within a lowering system for initially lowering rotor blade 22 from hub 20 an initial vertical distance 146 is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present art. Specifically, FIG. 9 illustrates a partial perspective view of hub 20, rotor blade 22, and pitch bearing 150 of wind turbine 10 after blade 22 has been lowered from hub 20 the initial vertical distance 146. FIG. . 10 illustrates a partial perspective view of the interior of hub 20 at the interface between rotor blade 22 and pitch bearing 150 before blade 22 is lowered relative to hub 20. In addition, FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a modified cylindrical-type support nut 300 configured for use in the illustrated descent system in accordance with aspects of the present art.

[0039] As shown in particular in FIGS. 9 and 10, to allow rotor blade 22 to be lowered initially, several of the root bolts 46 that extend through bolt holes 151 defined in pitch bearing 150 can be removed. The existing cylindrical nuts 44 associated with said bolts 46 can then be replaced by cylindrical shaped support nuts 300, where each support nut 300 is configured to allow a corresponding support cable 302 to be coupled to the root of the blade 24. By example, as shown in FIG.

9, in one embodiment, four of the existing barrel nuts 44 can be removed and replaced with suitable support nuts 300. In doing so, the remainder of the root bolts 46 may initially be kept in contact with the pitch bearing 150 (for example, by means of suitable tie nuts 304 (FIG. 10)) to allow the rotor blade 22 to continue to be supported by hub 20 until rotor blade 22 is ready to be lowered.

[0040] It should be appreciated that the support nuts 300 may have, in general, any suitable configuration that allows each support nut 300 to be inserted through the root of the blade 24 in place of one of the existing barrel nuts 44, as well as providing a means for coupling each support wire 302 to rotor blade 22. For example, in one embodiment, each support nut 300 may be configured as a modified barrel nut. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, each bracket nut 300 may include a threaded opening 306 that extends vertically through bracket nut 300 to allow a corresponding root bolt 46 or other suitable threaded element to engage nut 300 and extend vertically from there. In addition, each support nut 300 may include a laterally extending threaded opening 308 defined through one of the sides of the nut 300. As shown in FIG. 11, said opening 308 may allow a suitable coupling device 310 (for example, a swivel eye, mounting ring, mounting hook, or any other suitable attachment mechanism) to be secured to the support nut 300 to couple each wire rope. bracket 302 to rotor blade 22.

[0041] As indicated above, in one embodiment, four support nuts 300 can be installed through the root of blade 24 in place of the existing barrel nuts 44 to allow four corresponding support cables 302 to mate. to rotor blade 22. However, in other embodiments, any other suitable number of support nuts 300 may be secured within the root of blade 24 to provide a means for coupling a corresponding number of support cables 302 to rotor blade 22, such as installing fewer than four support nuts 300 within the root of blade 24 (for example, two or three support nuts) or more than four support nuts 300 within the root of the blade 24 (for example, five, six or more bracket nuts).

[0042] Additionally, it should be appreciated that the support nuts 300 can be configured to be held in position relative to the rotor blade 22 using any suitable attachment means. For example, in one embodiment, once a given support nut 300 is inserted into the root of the blade 24, a corresponding root bolt 46 can be inserted through the pitch bearing 150 and screwed into the opening. vertically extending 306 from support nut 300 to secure nut 300 within the root of blade 24. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, an alignment pin 312 can be configured to be inserted through the pitch bearing 150 and screwed into the vertically extending opening 306 of each support nut 300. In such an embodiment, each alignment pin 312 can be configured, at generally, for attachment within the corresponding support nut 300 in a manner similar to existing root bolts 46 and thus may include a threaded end 314 to engage the threaded opening 306 of the support nut 300. Without However, as shown in FIG. 10, each alignment pin 312 can define a vertical height or length 316 that is greater than the length 159 (FIG. 6) of the root bolts 46. Consequently, the alignment pins 312 can also be used to align the blade. rotor blade with pitch bearing as the rotor blade (or a different rotor blade with alignment pins installed in it) is lifted over the hub.

[0043] In another embodiment, the support nuts 300 can be secured within the root of the blade 24 using the threaded cable rods 156 of the support cables 152 described above with reference to FIGS. 5-8. In such an embodiment, support cables 152 can be used as additional safety features for the system as rotor blade 22 is lowered relative to hub 20. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 8, the disclosed stop blocks 170 can be used without cable translation devices 158 to allow each block 170 to serve as a mechanical stop between pitch bearing 150 and adjacent tabs 172 of support cables 152 as it is lowered. rotor blade 22.

[0044] It should also be appreciated that each support nut 300 may be configured, in general, to be installed within rotor blade 22 at any suitable circumferential location around the root of blade 24. However, in various embodiments, the bracket nuts 300 can be configured to be installed in the same or similar locations as the circumferential locations for the cables / devices 152/158 described above with reference to FIG. 7. For example, in one embodiment, support nuts 300 can be configured to install within the root of blade 24 at circumferential locations separated from reference line 174 by a given angle 178 (FIG. 7), at which the angle is generally equal to less than about 45 degrees.

[0045] With particular reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, in various embodiments, each support cable 302 may be configured to extend from one of the support nuts 300 to a corresponding cable translation device 318 located within the bushing 20. As shown in FIG. 10, in one embodiment, the cable translation device 318 may correspond to cable hoists (including chain hoists) configured to be mounted and / or supported by any suitable wind turbine component or components located within the bushing 20 (eg, bushing reinforcement (s), beam (s) and / or any other suitable component (s)). As is generally understood, wire rope hoists can be configured to allow suitable ropes to pass through them in a controlled manner. Thus, in the present application, such wire rope hoists can be used to safely and efficiently lower rotor blade 22 relative to hub 20.

[0046] It should be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the cable translation devices 318 may correspond to any other suitable device and / or mechanism that allows the rotor blade 22 to be lowered relative to the hub 20 through the corresponding 302 support cables. For example, in another embodiment, the cable translation devices 318 may correspond to winches positioned within the hub 20.

[0047] It should also be appreciated that, similarly to the support cables 152 described above, each support cable 302 may correspond, in general, to any suitable elongated cable-like object having a nominal load capacity sufficient to handle the weight of rotor blade 22. For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, support cables 302 are configured as metal chains. However, in other embodiments, the support cables 302 may correspond to steel cables or any other suitable metal cable. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that each support cable 302 can, in general, be configured to define any suitable length that allows cables 302 to be used to lower rotor blade 22 away from hub 20 the initial vertical distance 146.

[0048] With reference now to FIG. 12, after the rotor blade 22 is lowered from the hub 20 the initial distance 146 (FIG. 4), one or more pulleys from the top of the tower 180, 182 can be used to couple one or more pulley cables or cables 116 between rotor blade 22 and a first ground or main winch 112 supported on and / or adjacent to support surface 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, pulley cable 116 may be configured to operatively engage around one or more tower top pulleys 180, 182 coupled to rotor blade 22, and / or one or more tower top components. wind turbine 10 (eg rotor 18 or pitch bearing 150). By coupling the pulley cable 116 between the first winch 112 and the rotor blade 22 through the pulleys 180, 182, the pulley cable 116 can slowly uncoil or otherwise release from the winch 112, thus allowing the rotor blade 22 is lowered from hub 20 in a controlled manner.

[0049] It should be appreciated that, as rotor blade 22 is lowered using pulley cable 116, the system and method of the present disclosure also utilizes a guide line 108 configured to control the orientation of the rotor blade. 22 as the blade 22 is being lowered. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, by securing the rotor blade 22 to the guide line 108 through a guide wire 120 on the guide pulley 118, the rotor blade 22 can be kept at a safe distance from the tower 12. In addition, the guide line Guide 108, in combination with guide wire 120 and guide pulley 118, can also be used to rotate rotor blade 22 to a generally horizontal position prior to lowering blade 22 and / or directly adjacent to the support surface 14, which is described in more detail with respect to FIGS. 18 and 19.

[0050] With reference now to FIGS. 13-16, various examples of different tower top pulley arrangements are illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present art. Specifically, in each example shown in FIGS. 13-16, one or more sheaves 180 are coupled to pitch bearing 150 and one or more sheaves 182 are coupled to rotor blade 22. However, in other embodiments, sheave or sheaves 180 may be configured to engage. to any other suitable component (s) of the top of the wind turbine tower 10, in addition to the pitch bearing 150. For example, as an alternative to coupling the top of the tower pulley (s) 180 to the bearing of pitch 150, said pulley or pulleys 180 may be coupled to hub 20 (for example, by engaging pulley or pulleys 180 within the interior of hub 20), nacelle 16, or any other suitable component of the top of the wind turbine tower 10.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 13, in one embodiment, a single pulley 180 may be coupled to pitch bearing 150 and sheaves 182A, 182B may be coupled to the root of blade 24 of rotor blade 22. In such embodiment, the Pulley 180 may, for example, be vertically aligned with one of the pulleys 182A, 182B (for example, pulley 180A) on a first side of blade / bearing 22, 150, the other pulley (for example, pulley 182B being positioned ) on an opposite side of blade 22. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13, a pulley cable 116 can be coupled to pitch bearing 150 (or bushing 20) at a joint location 192 so that cable 116 can be operatively engaged around sheaves 180, 182A, 182B as the Line 116 extends between junction location 192 and first winch 112 (FIG. 12) positioned on and / or adjacent to support surface 14 of wind turbine 10. Therefore, as hoist cable 116 unwrapped or otherwise released by first winch 112, cable 116 can follow a path (as indicated by arrows 194) extending from pulley 180 around pulley 182A and then around pulley 182B to as the rotor blade 22 is lowered.

[0052] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, tower top pulleys 180A, 180B may be coupled to pitch bearing 150 and sheaves 182A, 182B may be coupled to blade root 24 of rotor blade 22. In such an embodiment , the pulley 180A may, for example, be vertically aligned with one of the pulleys 182A, 182B (for example, the pulley 182A) on a first side of the blade / bearing 22, 150, the other pulley 182B being positioned on one side opposite of blade 22. In addition, pulley 180B may be positioned at a horizontally defined location between pulleys 182A and 182B. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14, a lifting cable 116 can be coupled to pitch bearing 150 (or bushing 20) at a joint location 192 so that cable 116 can be operatively coupled around tower top pulleys 180A, 180B, 182A, 182B to as the cable 116 extends between the junction location 192 and the first winch 112 (FIG. 12) positioned on and / or adjacent to the support surface 14 of the wind turbine 10. Therefore, as the cable of pulley 116 is unwound or otherwise released by winch 112, cable 116 can follow a path (as indicated by arrows 194) from pulley 180A around pulley 182A and then from pulley 180b around pulley 182B as rotor blade 22 is lowered.

[0053] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, tower top pulleys 180A, 180B may be coupled to pitch bearing 150 and sheaves 182A, 182B may be coupled to blade root 24 of rotor blade 22. However, unlike of the example shown in FIG. 14, pulley 180A may be vertically aligned with one of the pulleys (e.g., first blade pulley 182A) on a first side of blade / bearing 22, 150 and pulley 180B may be vertically aligned with pulley 182B at an opposite side of the blade / bearing 22, 150. Also, as shown in FIG. 15, a lift cable 116 may be coupled to the root of the blade 24 at a joint location 192 such that the cable 116 can be operatively engaged around the pulleys 180A, 180B, 182A, 182B as the cable 116 extends between attachment location 192 and first winch 112 (FIG. 12) positioned on and / or adjacent to support surface 14 of wind turbine 10. Thus, as pulley cable 116 is unwrapped or otherwise released from winch 112, cable 116 can follow a path (as indicated by arrows 194) extending from pulley 180A around pulley 182A and then from pulley 180B around pulley 182B as rotor blade 22 is lowered.

[0054] As yet another example, as shown in FIG. 16, the tower top pulley 180 may be coupled to the pitch bearing 150 and the tower top pulley 182 may be coupled to the root of the blade 24 of the rotor blade 22. In such As an embodiment, one or both pulleys 180, 182 may correspond to a double pulley. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, pulley 180 is configured as a double pulley and therefore includes dual pulley grooves 195 and 196 for receiving a cable. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16, a riser cable 116 may be coupled to the root of the blade 24 at a joint location 192 so that the cable 186 can be operatively coupled around the pulleys 180, 182 as it extends between the joint location 192 and the first winch 112 (FIG. 12) positioned on and / or adjacent to the support surface 14 of the wind turbine 10. Thus, as the hoist cable 116 is unwound or otherwise released by the winch 112, cable 116 can follow a path (as indicated by arrows 194) extending from pulley slot 195 of pulley 180 around pulley 182 and then back around pulley slot 196 pulley 180.

[0055] With reference now to FIG. 17, another embodiment of a suitable pulley arrangement is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present art. As shown in FIG. 17, tower top pulleys 180A, 180B may be supported adjacent hub 20 by corresponding support belts 214 extending around remaining "rabbit-eared" rotor blades 22. Specifically, the tower top pulley 180A may be supported by a first support belt 214 that extends around one of the remaining rotor blades 22 and the tower top pulley 180B may be supported by a second support belt 216 extending around the other remaining rotor blade 22. In such an embodiment, pulley cables 116A, 116B may be configured to engage between rotor blade 22 and the first winch (s) 112 supported on and / or adjacent to support surface 14. Therefore, as pulley cables 116A, 116B are unwound or otherwise released from the winch (s) 112, each cable 116A, 116B may extend to and around its corresponding tower top pulley 180A, 180B (as indicated by arrows 194) to allow rotor blade 22 to be lowered relative to hub 20 in a controlled manner.

[0056] With reference to FIGS. 12, 18 and 19, a guide line 118 is attached from a second soil winch 114 to a location on top of the wind turbine tower 10, for example, the rotor 18, and controls the orientation of the blade. rotor 22 as it is lowered onto support surface 14. More particularly, guide line 108 includes a guide pulley 118 mounted thereto and a corresponding guide wire 120 configured on guide pulley 118 and attached to rotor blade 22. Therefore, guide pulley 118 is configured to move along guide line 108 during lifting and / or ascent of rotor blade 22 so that guide pulley 118 can move with rotor blade 22 and guide wire 120 can maintain contact with rotor blade 22.

[0057] Guide line 108 may be attached to the location of the top of the wind turbine tower 10 using any suitable means. For example, in one embodiment, guide line 108 may have a stem end (similar to the support cables of FIG. 5) that can be coupled to a threaded cable stem configured to thread into a corresponding nut. extending into the top location of the wind turbine tower 10. In other embodiments, the guide line 108 may be coupled to the top location of the wind turbine tower 10 using any other suitable means, such as by attaching the guide line 108 to a suitable mounting fixture configured to be secured to the location of the top of the wind turbine tower 10.

In certain embodiments, each guide line 108 may correspond to a steel cable or any other suitable metal cable having a nominal load capacity sufficient to support at least a portion of the weight of the rotor blade 22. Therefore, the guide line 108 is configured to control the orientation of the blade. rotor 22 as it is raised or lowered. Furthermore, it should be understood that guide wire 120 may be attached to rotor blade 22 using any suitable means. For example, in certain embodiments, guide wire 120 may be attached to optional blade sock 100 (as shown) or may be attached to rotor blade 22 directly, for example, wrapped around the tip of the blade. shovel 26.

With particular reference to FIGS. 18 and 19, upon installation of one or more pulleys 180, 182, rotor blade 22 can be lowered onto and / or adjacent to support surface 14 using associated pulley cables 116 and guide line 108. In doing so , guide line 108, which is coupled to rotor blade 22 through guide pulley 118 and guide wire 120, can be used to control the orientation of rotor blade 22 as blade 22 is hub 20. For example, as noted above, as rotor blade 22 begins to descend in the direction of support surface 14 through pulley cables 116, pulley block 118 is configured to move along guide line 108 to control the orientation of rotor blade 22 relative to tower 12. More specifically, guide line 118 can be controlled (eg, through a secondary winch 114 ) in a way that prevents the rotor blade 22 from coming into contact with the tor re 12 from the wind turbine, such as using guide line 108 to tilt rotor blade 22 away from tower 12.

[0060] Furthermore, as rotor blade 22 is lowered further toward support surface 14, guide line 108 and corresponding guide wire 120 can be used to rotate rotor blade 22 to one position, in generally horizontal to prevent blade tip 26 from contacting support surface 14 and to properly orient rotor blade 22 relative to support surface 14, as particularly illustrated in FIG. 19. For example, in various embodiments, rotor blade 22 may be lowered until blade 22 reaches a predetermined location. In certain embodiments, the predetermined location is determined by a tower top pulley stop 180, 182. More specifically, the tower top pulley stop 180, 182 can be controlled by a additional winch, controlled pulley rope, additional pulley, fixed length line or the like. Furthermore, when rotor blade 22 reaches the predetermined location relative to support surface 14, guide line 108 can be designed so that guide wire 120 has typically reached one end of guide line 108. Furthermore, guide wire 120 defines a predetermined length. Thus, once the rotor blade 22 reaches the predetermined location, the guide wire 120 maintains contact with the tip of the blade 26, while the first winch 112 continues to lower the root of the blade 24 so that the blade is in contact with the blade. rotor 22 rotates to a generally horizontal position. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, rotor blade 22 can be rotated to have a horizontal orientation extending generally parallel to support surface 14. Pulley cable (s) 116 and guide cable 120 can be used to lower the support blade. rotor 22 downward onto support surface 14 or onto suitable blade supports positioned on support surface 14.

[0061] With reference now to FIGS. 20-22, another embodiment of a method for lowering rotor blade 22 from rotor 18 to support surface 14 is illustrated. The embodiment operates similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 12, but also includes an additional pulley cable 122 coupled to rotor 18 and guide pulley 118 to control the location of guide pulley 118 so that contact is maintained between guide cable 120 and rotor blade 22 Thus, as rotor blade 22 is lowered, additional line 122 prevents guide wire 120 from losing contact with rotor blade 22 (eg, sliding off the tip of blade 26). In addition, the additional pulley cable 122 can control the location of the guide pulley 118 such that the pulley 118 does not extend too far beyond a length of the guide line 108. In addition, as shown, the guide cable Additional pulley 122 may have a fixed length or an adjustable length.

[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 23-25, yet another embodiment of a method for lowering rotor blade 22 from rotor 18 to support surface 14 is illustrated. Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 20-22, the illustrated embodiment includes an additional pulley cable 126 configured to control the location of guide pulley 118 to maintain contact between guide wire 120 and rotor blade 22. In addition, the embodiment Illustrated includes a third pulley 134 attached to an attachment point at a location on top of the tower, for example rotor 18, so that additional line 126 is attached from a third floor winch 124 onto the third pulley. 134 to guide pulley 118 to control a location of guide pulley 118 along guide line 108. Therefore, as rotor blade 22 is lowered, additional line 126 prevents the cable from guide 120 loses contact with rotor blade 22 (eg, sliding off the tip of blade 26). In addition, the additional pulley cable 126 can control the location of the guide pulley 118 such that the pulley 118 does not extend too far beyond a length of the guide line 108. Also, as shown, the guide cable Additional pulley 126 may have a fixed length or an adjustable length.

[0063] It should also be appreciated that the present art also addresses procedures for installing a rotor blade 22 in a wind turbine 10. As noted above, such installation procedures can be accomplished simply by reversing the various procedure steps described above to remove a rotor blade 22 of a wind turbine 10. Specifically, the rotor blade 22 to be installed in the wind turbine 10 may be initially placed on and / or adjacent to the support surface 14 at a location proximate the tower 12 of the wind turbine. A suitable pulley cable 116 can then be coupled between rotor blade 22 and a first winch 112 using one or more tower top pulleys 180, 182. In addition, an optional blade sock 100 can be installed on the rotor blade 22 at an intermediate location 102 on blade 22. Pulley cable (s) 116 and guide cable 120 may be used to initially lift rotor blade 22 away from support surface 14. Thereafter, As pulley cable (s) 116 from first winch 112 are used to further lift rotor blade 22 (i.e., blade root 24) toward hub 20, line-mounted guidewire 120 Guide wire 108 can be used to control the orientation of rotor blade 22 (i.e., blade tip 26) relative to tower 12, such as by using guide wire 120 to allow rotor blade to 22 rotate from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position.

Once the rotor blade 22 is raised to a location adjacent to the hub 20 (for example, so that the blade 22 is spaced from the hub 20 by the vertical distance 146 (FIG. 9)), they can be coupled Support cables 152, 302 suitable to rotor blade 22 and corresponding cable translation devices 158 can be installed within hub 20. Subsequently, pulleys 180, 182 can be removed to allow translation devices 158, 318 to be used. to raise rotor blade 22 to a location directly adjacent to hub 20 so that root bolts 46 are received within corresponding bolt holes 151 defined in pitch bearing 150. Root bolts 46 can be secured to the pitch bearing 150 (for example, using appropriate locknuts) to complete the installation of rotor blade 22 in hub 20.

[0065] With reference now to FIGS. 26 and 27, it should be understood that the first, second, and third winches 112, 114, 124, as described herein, may be in any suitable location relative to the wind turbine 10 and / or to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 26, the main winch 112 is positioned at a 90 degree angle with respect to the secondary winch 114 and the tower. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27, the first and second winches 112, 114 are placed on the same skid or one on top of the other. In still other embodiments, the first and second winches 112, 114 may be positioned in any other suitable location.

[0066] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any device or system and performing any incorporated procedure. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. A method of removing a rotor blade (22) from a top of a tower (12) of a wind turbine (10), the method comprising: installing at least one tower top pulley (180,182) at a location on the top of the wind turbine tower; attaching a pulley cable (116) from a first floor winch (112) on the tower top pulley to the rotor blade; attaching a guide line (108) from a second ground winch (114) to a location on top of the wind turbine tower; attaching a guide pulley (118) to the guide line (108), wherein the guide pulley is configured to move along the guide line; Attach a guide wire (120) from the guide line (108) on the guide pulley to the rotor blade (22) to control the orientation of the rotor blade (22) relative to the tower as it is lower the rotor blade; and lowering the rotor blade by coordinated operation of the winch to a location on or adjacent to a supporting surface (14) of the wind turbine (10). The method of claim 1, further comprising placing the rotor blade (22) being removed at a substantially six o'clock position and lowering the rotor blade (22) an initial vertical distance from a wind turbine rotor before attaching the tower top pulley (180, 182). The method of claim 1, wherein lowering the rotor blade (22) by coordinated operation of the winch to a location on or adjacent to the support surface (14) of the wind turbine (10) further comprises , lower the rotor blade (22) by coordinated operation of a winch until the rotor blade reaches a predetermined location, and rotate the rotor blade (22) to a horizontal rest position by coordinated operation of the winch. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined location is determined by a tower top pulley stop (180, 182), wherein the top pulley stop tower is controlled by at least one of the following: an additional winch, a controlled pulley rope, an additional pulley, or a fixed line. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching a third pulley to an attachment point on the rotor and attaching an additional pulley cable from a third floor winch on the third pulley to the guide sheave to control a location of the guide pulley along the guide line (108). The method of claim 1, further comprising joining an additional pulley cable between a location on the top of the wind turbine tower (10) and the guide pulley to control a location of the wind turbine pulley. guide along guide line (108), wherein the additional pulley cable comprises a fixed length. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of joining the guide wire from the guide line (108) on the guide pulley to the rotor blade (22) further comprises joining the guide wire to the tip of the rotor blade blade. The method according to claim 1, further comprising placing the first and second winches (112, 114) one on top of the other. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning the first and second winches (112, 114) at a 90 degree angle to each other and the tower (12). 10. A method of lifting a rotor blade (22) of a wind turbine (10) from a support surface (14) to a rotor, the method comprising: attaching a pulley cable (116) from a first ground winch (112) onto a tower top pulley (180, 182) at a location on the top of the wind turbine tower to the wind turbine blade rotor; joining a guide line (108) from a second ground winch (114) to a location on top of the wind turbine tower, where the guide line comprises a guide pulley (118) configured on the itself, the guide pulley configured to move along the guide line as the rotor blade is raised; attaching a guide wire (120) from the guide line on the guide pulley to the rotor blade to control the orientation of the rotor blade relative to the tower as the rotor blade is raised; Y lifting the rotor blade (22) through the pulley cable by coordinated winch operation from the ground to the rotor. The method of claim 10, further comprising placing the rotor blade (22) being removed at a substantially six o'clock position and lowering the rotor blade an initial vertical distance from the rotor prior to Attach the pulley to the top of the tower. The method of claim 10, wherein lifting the rotor blade (22) through the pulley cable by coordinated operation of the winch from the ground to the rotor further comprises: lifting the rotor blade (22) through the pulley cable by coordinated operation of the winch from the ground to a predetermined location; rotating the rotor blade (22) from a horizontal position to a vertical position through the pulley wire and guide wire by coordinated operation of the ground winch; Y Raise the rotor blade (22) through the pulley cable by coordinated operation of the winch from the ground to the rotor in a vertical position. 13. A system for lifting and removing a rotor blade (22) of a wind turbine (10) to and from a rotor (20) installed on top of a wind turbine tower (12), the system comprising: at least one tower top pulley (180, 182) mounted at a location on the top of the wind turbine tower (10); a first floor winch (112) and a second floor winch (114) disposed at a location on or adjacent to a supporting surface (14) of the tower; a pulley cable (116) from the first ground winch (112) onto the pulley at the top of the tower and connected to the rotor blade; a guide line (108) attached between the second ground winch (114) and a location on top of the wind turbine tower; a guide pulley (118) mounted on the guide line (108), wherein the guide pulley is configured to move along the guide line (108) during lifting and removal of the rotor blade ( 22); Y a guide wire (120) from the guide line (108) on the guide pulley to the rotor blade (22) to control the orientation of the rotor blade (22) relative to the tower (12) during lifting and removing the rotor blade (22). The system according to claim 13, further comprising: a third pulley attached to a location on top of the wind turbine tower (10); Y a pulley cable from a third ground winch on the third pulley to the guide pulley to control the location of the guide pulley along the guide line (108). The system according to claim 13, further comprising a pulley cable between a location of the top of the wind turbine tower (10) and the guide pulley for controlling a location of the guide pulley to along guide line (108), wherein the pulley cable comprises a fixed length.